People believe this song is about a drug trip, because “ashes to ashes” mentions major Tom being a junkie. But “ashes to ashes” released 11 years later and was in part a response to the popular opinion that the public’s interpretation of “Space Oddity” is that it was a song about a drug trip. The truth is Bowie was fascinated by the true beauty and horror of space travel and what an astronaut had to endure. The idea that in order to experience the most beautiful sights one can imagine, one had to endure the immediate underlying horror of death, separation (from all of humanity) and loneliness that was omnipresent.
It is interesting what different people will project onto a popular song. In the 60s space travel had begun to be a popular concept, afterward that slipped away as culture shifted to value other things. It's ironic that those who disparage others with higher goals as individualists are actually all about the navel gazing, consumption, and dissipation themselves. We went from a culture of engineers and scientists to one of shoppers and wasters in a decade.
David Bowie album “ the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust’s” is considered to be on of the best albums of the 70’s. A masterpiece of well arranged songs.
First album I ever bought, lol after hearing him on a small tinny radio on radio Luxembourg ...saved up months to get it ...played it down YMCA in Aberaman disco (so called) still play the CD 51 years later ....wonderful.
Not many people remember David's alter ego for about a year was Ziggy Stardust. The first time I ever heard him and his band was as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I have to admit I prefer David Bowie to Ziggy. But he had to get it out and it made for a great album. The man was a genius. He was a mix of sexy and smart with a great singing voice. As he got older, he just got better. Miss you Sir. There is a hole in music that yet another legend has left and cannot be filled.
Or "The Man Who Sold the World". An amazing song that was also covered by Nirvana. Nirvana's version is great, but I still think the Bowie version is better.
'Rebel Rebel' was released the same year as 'Killer Queen'......sort of the height of the whole Glam thing. David sang the song 'Under Pressure' with Freddie Mercury......about 7 years later.
My wife introduced me to your channel tonight, and I've really been enjoying your real sense of warmth and humanity as well as your love and willingness to go on these journeys that have already meant to much to us. I can only hope that with you leading the way and by your example many more people will learn to love these classic songs as well as the modern stuff that has come since. I always want people to understand what has come before while still appreciating the new, and thanks so much for what you are doing.
Vincent, I get chills, and a few years earlier saw 2001 a space odyssey where the astronaut dies and floats into the void . I connected the two images and almost lost it.
Kaye Whye thank you for mentioning that. Two masters, two different generations and two different styles but they performed a classic version of that song.
I had forgotten about that, but now that you mention it I do recall the performance clearly. It didn’t seem that odd to me at the time, but looking back through the 2020 lens, this duet seems surreal or almost impossible. At the time Bing was an old act and from a completely different genre and Bowie was still pretty young. Now they’re both gone. Kind of trippy and a stark reminder that Father Time is undefeated. Thanks
I had read the back story was that Bing wanted to perform Drummer Boy, but Bowie being younger thought it was old fashioned and didn't like the song. So, the different writers on the show got together , and wrote "Peace on Earth" as Bowie's counterpoint to Bing, literally, on the fly. Bing never got to see the special because he passed away 5 weeks after recording it with Bowie.
"The Laughing Gnome" - I remember about 4 years old in 1970, one of Bowie's first ever songs was a favourite! "Ha ha haa, Hee hee heeee, I'm a laughing gnome and you can't catch meee"
I saw this somewhere else but here it goes: if you are feeling blue remember that our earth is roughly 4.5 billion years old and you lived at a time where you were able to listen to Bowie.
Second a thousand percent. I think you may have already reacted to Queen's live version, but there is something truly spectacular about Mercury and Bowie in a duet.
Which is why we find out what happened to Major Tom in "Black Star". Bowie took his life full circle. Funny, he was always so reticent to give any deep meaning to his music. Wisely, I would say. Not only did he allow others to find their own meaning in it, but it allowed him to be open in ways he didn't have to explain. Ashes to Ashes is from 1980, and is about the struggle with his becoming sober, and admitting he is/was a junkie. I saw him in 1983, at the US Festival, he was over an hour late taking the stage, not certain why. I think he was still partying but at that time of his life replacing some things with other things.
@@stanleyteriaca2184 In Ashes to Ashes it is Tom reconnecting, but it's not necessarily about Bowie's sobriety. Bowie has blatantly said that it his epitaph for the 1970's and even childhood since some of they lyrics are like nursery rhymes.
Ashes to ashes is the sequel of the song and after that yes later a guy from Germany make a song base on the the story of Major Tom ( and D Bowie her the Song and says : he Love the way he end the Story of Mayor tom .) Peter Schiling.
Cristen Sieh not entirely sure about that. He has recorded it in stretches when he had a little bit of time on the ISS. They did however release the video eventually on the day he returned to Earth and landed in Russia.
Bowie loved that version. He helped him get the license for the song. According the wikipedia this song is only Bowie song he did not owned the rights.
The rest of Queen participated too. John Deacon came up with the bass riff that started the song. I believe there are drums and guitar and some Queen production in there as well.
What I love is that I was able to pass down my love of ‘70’s music to my youngest son. This song gives me chills every time. We often sing a certain lyric from a song we both love or find funny. It’s a good thing to be able to share such a love of music w your kids.
I was too young in my house to choose what music was played at this time. Praise that I had older siblings with amazing musical taste. I can't recall the "first time" hearing so much of this music - it was just *there*
If there's one reason why I'm glad I just squeaked in on the outer edge of the boomer years, it's the music. OMG, the f***ing music. Such an embarrassment of riches, so much so that there were bands we could afford to eyeroll at or downright despise. Now ALL OF IT sounds amazing compared to the autotuned, cookie-cutter stuff that's all over. (Except Journey. Those guys were earwormed into my brain by the radio so many times that I can't even look at one of their song titles without risking hours of frustration, LOL.)
I first heard this song on a walkman in the back of my parent's car when I was 8 on a road trip to Pittsburgh. I played it over and over because I had never heard anything like it. Years later I became a music producer and had number ones on iTunes and top five albums on Billboard. This song might have planted the seed.
Well, thats the reason Major Tom broke the spaceship circuits, and give a message to his wife, he don't want to return to earth and he knew "the spaceship knows which way to go"... so, the Spaceship was ready to back to earth and Major Tom stop the return
Seriously, been listening to this song for over 50 years and never thought of it that way and Bam!! it is so obivious even in the way he delivers his vocals at that point. Thanks Jamal!
That phrase always intrigued me...I knew it had some special meaning...But on the surface, it didn't make much sense though...Never could figure it out..until now, and it does make perfect sense...David Bowie was always very conscious about the environment...To Major Tom seeing the planet in its majestic blue, but knowing the course it's been taking, and not being able to do anything about it, cannot be described more beautifully... The other part that likewise i always wanted to figure out was the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear,"...And for that, I found the explanation in an article on line...and it turned out exactly what I was thinking it was.... 🙂 I'm not British, but I'm as passionate as a British about this sport...Here's what I found: 'In the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear," 'whose shirt you wear' is English slang for 'what football team are you a fan of?'. The thinking here being that if you can make it into space then your opinions on football matter. (Note to Americans- in this case, by "football" we mean "soccer.")' (This takes me to another football reference in another rock classic: 'Fearless', by Pink Floyd..my personal favorite, I might add.. 😉 Guess whose shirt I wear.. 😎 Anyway, yeah I know..For some, not something very relevant, but if it was enough for David to include it in his lyrics, it is for me too..👍
I want to thank you, a 56 yr old here, Grew up listening to most what you reacting to, but in the essence of growing up, just enjoyed the music for what it was, good music. Now, at 56, slowed down a bit, listen a lil more critical, lyrics, vocal performance, production, arrangements, overlays, etc.. You and other reactors have helped me enjoy this great music all over again. I THANK YOU
So happy to see you doing Bowie! Strap in, you're in for a ride.... soo many great songs. The man probably had one of the greatest and most interesting careers in music.
If you're going to be listening to David Bowie, how about "5 Years"? Wonderful song from "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars", though honestly, that was a pretty amazing album altogether.
Wish I could give your comment more than 1 thumbs up ...5 years has been my fav Bowie song since I first heard it in the late 70's ..beautiful haunting sad and all around incredible ...it will never grow old
Bowie’s music had a profound impact on me growing up. It makes you think, as well as, making you emotional. It also made you dance. He is sorely missed in this period of time, when the world needs people like him. The world needs healers and thinkers, and he did both with his artistry. But, the world does have Jamel. ✌️
David Bowie, to say the least, was an "outlier" to the human race (if you understand that word). I was always amused when he appeared in the movie The Man Who Fell To Earth where he played an alien. The amusing part is he already seemed quite alien. I also noticed you saying you hadn't seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. You really owe to yourself to see that particular movie, because there are many references to it in everyday life (even today), not to mention it was a totally ground-breaking movie at the time and even today. There are parts of it that are "very deep". Frankly, the last 15 minutes of the movie need to be researched to understand the meaning (maybe just after viewing the movie). The only place that I quickly found where the original movie can be viewed without doing some sort of "special" download (etc) is Netflix DVD. I actually just moved it closer to the top of my Netflix DVD list. I originally saw the movie in 1968 (in the theater) and elements of it are still active in my mind. It is worth the trouble to see it. Some of the scenes are soooooooo cool. Of course I must warn you this is coming from a former engineer, although 2001 was released before any of that schooling. :>) I hope you do work out a way to see the original 2001 movie. Good luck and as the saying goes "be good to each other", which I'm pretty sure you'll recognize.
Such a great musician and lovely person. Sad to lose him. You may not know, Jamel_AKA_Jamal, that the personnel on this song are all musicians that played with Elton John: Terry Cox on Drums, Herbie Flowers on Bass, Rick Wakeman on Mellotron and the great, late Paul Buckmaster who provided the musical arrangements on many of Elton & David's albums. The producer, Gus Dudgeon is also a feature between these two musicians....some great connections in music!
Glad you’re onto Bowie! You’re in for quite a trip. “Heroes” is definitely an iconic song, “Ziggy Stardust” though would be the best one to do after this, I think. David Bowie was the only “celebrity death” that has ever made me cry. I miss him still.
Jamel--Bowie changed both his appearance and music several times over his career, as Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, etc. Some of my favorites were from the early 2000's, when he was finally David Bowie for a while. At Live from the BBC, my fave there is a live performance of my fave song of his, a love song, titled Absolute Beginners. Hope you ill look that one up. He was so good in that concert. That was his best band ever. Thanks!
Yeah, finally some Bowie!!!!!!! And on my birthday!! Perfect timing. :) Thank you!!!!! He was so totally unique. When I heard his music for the first time as a kid, I was hooked on his sound and songs and originality. He was a huge inspiration! So creative and always reinventing himself, from the Thin White Duke to Ziggy Stardust and then on from there. Thanks so much for playing this!
Now we're talking!!! Can never have enough Bowie in life, loved him and very, very fortunate to have seen him in person about a dozen times. Such an immense catalogue, but personal favourites are 'Heroes' with its Berlin Wall references and 'Life On Mars' which described how I felt about myself as a young woman. Thank you, Jamal ✌🏼
i was crushed by his death, as were so many of us. he was one of those artists that fit every generation, he spoke to all of us. he was a both a great musician and actor, always a pleasure to hear his music or see him surprise us in a movie role. what a talent. what a loss
There was a version of this song that was done by an astronaut on the International Space Station. The video is out there and Bowie liked it so much that he authorized it to be done without having to pay royalties for a certain period of time. It brings a different view when the Earth is actually in the back ground in the window. I want to say it was Chris Hatfield but I could be wrong.
David Bowie. His catalogue is vast and spans decades, his talent enriched music, media, art, theatre, film and fashion. He was able to reinvent himself when he became bored and was suprisingly succesful in doing so for the most part. A real legend, unique and very much missed. Much of his lesser known work buried in his albums is amongst his best.
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie did a song together called Under Pressure that you would love! It's also where Vanilla Ice got his sample for Ice Ice Baby!
Fun fact: Featured as pre-Yes Rick Wakeman on the Mellotron. Bowie actually invited Wakeman to join the Spiders from Mars, but Rick went with Yes, instead.
This came out in 1969 exactly when the Americans first landed on the Moon. Bowie's timing was impeccable as he'd been trying to launch his singing career for years to no avail until this.
@Rhonda Bothelio Slipped my mind, I'm sure I forgot many more I didn't look anything up to refresh my memory. This was just off the top of my head. I also like "Diamond Dogs". I used to have the "Changes One" album I think it was called, and I loved every song on it!
You are right about Bowie and Freddie Mercury. They are singers and performance artists both. Geniuses. This is the first Bowie song I ever heard. I heard it on the radio while I was in the car with my mother. LOL Crazy. I loved Bowie from that moment. When Bowie died, the online news had as its banner, Planet Earth is Blue. I knew as soon as I saw that that Bowie had died.
One of the greatest rockers ever reinventing himself over many decades reinventing ! My favorite album David Live - lots of his best stuff ✌😎 I bet I've listened to the whole album start - finish 1000X easy !
Bowie was a visual artist as well as a musical one. He took great care with his official videos, so I do hope that you’ll be able to view some without being blocked. >Bowie had a 50-year career, so you may need to be selective. Just so you know, some Bowie fans stopped listening in the 80s, when he had a “pop” period. I did not-I love Bowie start to finish. And I’m going to make some recommendations. :) >>I see him as working in several genres. You may want to select one from each of the following lists. >There are the solid rock songs (The Man Who Sold the World, 1970. Life on Mars, 1971. Starman, 1972. Ziggy Stardust, 1972. Heroes, 1977. New Killer Star, 2003. Valentine’s Day, 2013). >There are the all-out rockers, the crowd pleasers (Suffragette City, 1972. Panic in Detroit, 1973. The Jean Genie, 1973. Diamond Dogs, 1974. TVC15, 1976. Boys Keep Swinging, 1979). >There are what I call the groovy rockers, with strong bass or drums (Changes, 1971. Rebel Rebel, 1974. Young Americans, 1975. Golden Years, 1976. Ashes to Ashes, 1980. I’m Deranged, 1995). >There are the full-on funky songs (“1984,” 1974. Fame, 1975. Stay, 1976. Fashion, 1980. Let’s Dance, 1983). >There are the pop songs, perhaps his biggest hits (China Girl, 1983. Modern Love, 1983. Blue Jean, 1984). >There are the industrial-influenced songs (I’m Afraid of Americans, 1997. Little Wonder, 1997. Seven Years in Tibet, 1997). >And lastly, there are the lovely tunes (Sorrow, 1973. Outside, 1995. Slow Burn, 2002. I Can’t Give Everything, 2016. Lazarus, 2016). I swear, this is the longest post I will ever leave for you. Unless you turn at some point to Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry!
Great breakdown of Bowie’s catalog!! I would say don’t forget Hunky Dory, it’s brilliant. Plus his producing of Lou Reed’s first album along with playing and singing on the record too is amazing. He was a once in a lifetime artist. ✌️💗😊
Jamal, you are my daily dose of positive, music and love/light. Thank you for sharing these tunes/videos and bringing us all together. You are a ROCKSTAR!!!!
I remember hearing this on my brother's stereo system when I was a kid and as I moved around the room I kept thinking that there must be something wrong with the record it had been mixed in such a new way. The way he harmonises through each ear - astonishing sonic experience.
It's a "double entendre", and you're a double genius, and that's why we love you Jamel :-)
Did I Get it Right✌🏾🧔🏾✌🏾
@@jamelakajamal It's pronounced (on - tahn - dra)
Usually one of the two meanings in double entendre is sexual.
@@JimDorman Just the tip?
@@JimDorman She asked me for a double entendre so I gave her one.
"It's like him and Freddie Mercury could be distant cousins or something..."
* Under Pressure starts playing in the background *
Am I the only one who gets a little teary eyed when listening to this?
No 😂The “though I’m past 100,000 miles” bit and “tell my wife I love her very much, she knows.” Every time...😢
No. And this is what I listened to over and over after I heard he’d died which made it even more emotional.
No
I just did get teary eyed and I'm from back in the day
nope it gets me every time
People believe this song is about a drug trip, because “ashes to ashes” mentions major Tom being a junkie. But “ashes to ashes” released 11 years later and was in part a response to the popular opinion that the public’s interpretation of “Space Oddity” is that it was a song about a drug trip. The truth is Bowie was fascinated by the true beauty and horror of space travel and what an astronaut had to endure. The idea that in order to experience the most beautiful sights one can imagine, one had to endure the immediate underlying horror of death, separation (from all of humanity) and loneliness that was omnipresent.
Well said. Thanks for sharing that.
I agree.
It is interesting what different people will project onto a popular song. In the 60s space travel had begun to be a popular concept, afterward that slipped away as culture shifted to value other things. It's ironic that those who disparage others with higher goals as individualists are actually all about the navel gazing, consumption, and dissipation themselves. We went from a culture of engineers and scientists to one of shoppers and wasters in a decade.
Bob Riemersma Bowie said it was inspired by seeing 2001 A Space Oddessy (Arthur C Clarke)
Well spoken
He loved playing games with people as to what he meant, especially of they came up with an interpretation that he didn't expect or intend.
David Bowie album “ the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust’s” is considered to be on of the best albums of the 70’s. A masterpiece of well arranged songs.
First album I ever bought, lol after hearing him on a small tinny radio on radio Luxembourg ...saved up months to get it ...played it down YMCA in Aberaman disco (so called) still play the CD 51 years later ....wonderful.
Suffragette City was my perennial favorite, wore out the vinyl
Agree Rise and fall my first album five years I could listen to all day
Not many people remember David's alter ego for about a year was Ziggy Stardust. The first time I ever heard him and his band was as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I have to admit I prefer David Bowie to Ziggy. But he had to get it out and it made for a great album. The man was a genius. He was a mix of sexy and smart with a great singing voice. As he got older, he just got better. Miss you Sir. There is a hole in music that yet another legend has left and cannot be filled.
@@markdunn1464 Ditto!!!!!
Bowie was not just a fantastic musician, but a true artist with genius and intelligence. We miss you, Star Man.
The world hasn't been the same since David Bowie left us...RIP Goblin King 😭
Labyrinth has one of the best original soundtracks ever made. I still listen to it a couple of times a year.
Oh I know I cried my eyes out when I heard bout his passing there will never be anyone else like him so greatly missed RIP Goblin King rest easy
He didn’t die, he went home.
@Michelle - true. The mothership called him up.
My favorite Bowie movie Labyrinth he played Jared the goblin king.
"Young Americans" will knock your socks off.
Absolute must!
A better one is "I'm Afraid of Americans".
Or "The Man Who Sold the World". An amazing song that was also covered by Nirvana. Nirvana's version is great, but I still think the Bowie version is better.
With vocal arrangements by Luther Vandross.
David Sanborn's saxophone makes that song extra special
Starman, Golden Years, Ashes to Ashes, Heroes.....he is beyond.
Definitely Ashes to Ashes, the follow up to this song.
D Mac Ashes to Ashes is maybe my favorite Bowie song. Jamal definitely needs to listen to it
I can do without Golden Years.
Beyond beyond! The Best!
Bowie and Bing Crosby sang a masterpiece together. "Little Drummer Boy". Christmas wouldn't feel right without it.
Seriously the only Christmas song I get excited to hear!
Yes, a true masterpiece.
Love that!!!
Best Christmas song
YES!!!!! My favorite!!!
I burst into tears watching this. It’s like David’s spirit singing to us. We are blue, we miss him! God bless his beautiful ethereal soul❤️
You’re discovering also why Bowie’s death hit so many of us so hard. He really was the peak genius of rock.
Thank you!
Exactly!I I cried like a baby when he died.
It really did hit me. I didn't realize what kind of effect he'd had on me.
He made the stunning video 'Lazarus' as he knew he was dying. What a genius - what a loss.
Lazarus really pushes my understanding of grief. Like, it's really captivating to see someone grieve their own death.
Please, react to this!
I couldn't listen to anything from Lazarus for about 2 years. It hurt so much when he passed.
OH MY GOD I want to see this reaction.
'Rebel Rebel' was released the same year as 'Killer Queen'......sort of the height of the whole Glam thing. David sang the song 'Under Pressure' with Freddie Mercury......about 7 years later.
I came here to recommend under pressure also
Me too!
Oops... Jamel already reacted to Under Pressure with Bowie. It's under the Queen playlist!
ruclips.net/video/zkidtw2KxFk/видео.html
Above is the link to Queen/Bowie Under Pressure reaction.
he was a chameleon, he adapted to every generation of music
Every generation of music adapted to him
a chameleon blends in, Bowie was the trendsetter, ahead of the curve of all genres or music.
My wife introduced me to your channel tonight, and I've really been enjoying your real sense of warmth and humanity as well as your love and willingness to go on these journeys that have already meant to much to us. I can only hope that with you leading the way and by your example many more people will learn to love these classic songs as well as the modern stuff that has come since. I always want people to understand what has come before while still appreciating the new, and thanks so much for what you are doing.
Yes I agree, jamel is unique
Will never forget where I was the morning I learned that David Bowie died. I broke down and cried. 😔
Same here. Unfortunately I was at work.
We all did. I felt my heart break. How could the world exist without him?
I fell to my knees, he was a brother.
A lot of us did.
still making me tear up...
I STILL GET CHILLS WHEN HE SAYS 'YOUR CIRCUITS DEAD, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG'
Vincent, I get chills, and a few years earlier saw 2001 a space odyssey where the astronaut dies and floats into the void . I connected the two images and almost lost it.
I used to think he sang "your circuit said there's something wrong". It made enough sense that I never realized I was mis-hearing the words.
Same
I feel like everyone must get chills at that part
David Bowie was such an impressive talent, that Bing Crosby did a duet with him on his 1977 Christmas special. They did Little Drummer Boy. 😎
Kaye Whye thank you for mentioning that. Two masters, two different generations and two different styles but they performed a classic version of that song.
Love that song Kaye!! 😃❤️
That was awesome when I was a kid too!
I had forgotten about that, but now that you mention it I do recall the performance clearly. It didn’t seem that odd to me at the time, but looking back through the 2020 lens, this duet seems surreal or almost impossible. At the time Bing was an old act and from a completely different genre and Bowie was still pretty young. Now they’re both gone. Kind of trippy and a stark reminder that Father Time is undefeated. Thanks
I had read the back story was that Bing wanted to perform Drummer Boy, but Bowie being younger thought it was old fashioned and didn't like the song. So, the different writers on the show got together , and wrote "Peace on Earth" as Bowie's counterpoint to Bing, literally, on the fly. Bing never got to see the special because he passed away 5 weeks after recording it with Bowie.
"The Laughing Gnome" - I remember about 4 years old in 1970, one of Bowie's first ever songs was a favourite! "Ha ha haa, Hee hee heeee, I'm a laughing gnome and you can't catch meee"
It's awesome =)
I loved it and it freaked me out in equal measure 😂😂😂
I saw this somewhere else but here it goes: if you are feeling blue remember that our earth is roughly 4.5 billion years old and you lived at a time where you were able to listen to Bowie.
I recommend: "Under Pressure" - Freddy Mercury and David Bowie
Dubbed duet... very cool...
Second a thousand percent. I think you may have already reacted to Queen's live version, but there is something truly spectacular about Mercury and Bowie in a duet.
the Music Vid is the best one. i also recommend it
I thought he already had, but I think it's just Freddie and Queen live at Wembley.
You obviously didn't listen to him....
It seems like you may've missed the point, brother: Major Tom gave himself for space exploration; he didn't come back.
So was Ashes To Ashes about pre flight Major Tom then? Or about what the press discovered about Major Tom after he passed on?
Major Tom is about Bowie's alter ego which is addicted to drugs
Which is why we find out what happened to Major Tom in "Black Star". Bowie took his life full circle. Funny, he was always so reticent to give any deep meaning to his music. Wisely, I would say. Not only did he allow others to find their own meaning in it, but it allowed him to be open in ways he didn't have to explain. Ashes to Ashes is from 1980, and is about the struggle with his becoming sober, and admitting he is/was a junkie. I saw him in 1983, at the US Festival, he was over an hour late taking the stage, not certain why. I think he was still partying but at that time of his life replacing some things with other things.
The beautiful thing about music is you can interpret it any way you like
@@stanleyteriaca2184 In Ashes to Ashes it is Tom reconnecting, but it's not necessarily about Bowie's sobriety. Bowie has blatantly said that it his epitaph for the 1970's and even childhood since some of they lyrics are like nursery rhymes.
Loved his song "Golden Years" and "I'm Afraid of Americans"...
"I'm Afraid of Americans" freaking rocks!
"I'm Afraid of Americans" is great, would be great to see Jamel react to that!
The Jean Genie is a great David Bowie song!
“Ashes to Ashes:” The sequel to “Space Oddity.”
Beat me to it. It should definitely come next.
Was going to post that too.. Jamal should definitely check out "Ashes to Ashes".. The Scary Monsters album is just superb..
An incredible song.
And "Blackstar". A sideways 3rd part of the Trilogy.
Ashes to ashes is the sequel of the song and after that yes later a guy from Germany make a song base on the the story of Major Tom ( and D Bowie her the Song and says : he Love the way he end the Story of Mayor tom .) Peter Schiling.
Only David would do an album on his deathbed, utterly unique
Warren Zevon did the same.
@@brucedillinger9448 And Freddie Mercury.
and Johnny Cash.
Chris Hadfield a Canadian astronaut does a cover of this on the actual international Space Station it's an amazing video.
saw that just this week - it was a pretty good cover - and amazing video...
I saw it the day we learned Bowie died. It was amazing
ruclips.net/video/KaOC9danxNo/видео.html
He’s not sad because he’s lost in space, he’s sad because he has to come home!
Cristen Sieh not entirely sure about that. He has recorded it in stretches when he had a little bit of time on the ISS. They did however release the video eventually on the day he returned to Earth and landed in Russia.
Bowie loved that version. He helped him get the license for the song. According the wikipedia this song is only Bowie song he did not owned the rights.
Bowie from the 80's... "Let's Dance" "Modern Love" are great tunes..!
Listen for SRV's distinctive guitar in "Let's Dance"
I agree. Niles Rodgers producer of that album. Bowie's 70's stuff was great... Like the song: Fame.
@@maryscaggsdane1978 Really??? I didn't know that.
@@2869may go give it a spin ... video shows Bowie, but your ears will know it when you hear it! (Wiki it if you're still too shocked to believe it!) 😉
With Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar, the entire "Let's Dance" album kicks some major ass!
David Bowie is such a legend......Try Fame, love that song.
Also loved that John Lennon was his backup singer.
Jeff Brisson love this song
Check Bowie out singing Under Pressure with Freddie Mercury, great duet.
The rest of Queen participated too. John Deacon came up with the bass riff that started the song. I believe there are drums and guitar and some Queen production in there as well.
What I love is that I was able to pass down my love of ‘70’s music to my youngest son. This song gives me chills every time. We often sing a certain lyric from a song we both love or find funny. It’s a good thing to be able to share such a love of music w your kids.
His song Let's Dance is damn good, great groove and Stevie Ray Vaughan plays the guitar solo in it.
Suffragette City is just a stone cold classic. The Man Who Sold the World for atmosphere and a ton of influence (particularly on the grunge movement)
Suffragette City is a must
Wham bam thank you ma'am!
Maybe a comparison of Man Who Sold The World David & Nirvana.
Imagine growing up with music like this and Pink Floyd.
I'm fortunate to say that I don't have to imagine it.
I did it.
I was too young in my house to choose what music was played at this time. Praise that I had older siblings with amazing musical taste. I can't recall the "first time" hearing so much of this music - it was just *there*
I'm not too far from it, but it tok my BIL to introduce me to Floyd and Bowie came around later.
Me too. I bought Aladdin Sane and was just blown away but then heard Ziggy ...OMG what an album
Wish I knew just how freakin' good those good ole days were then.
If there's one reason why I'm glad I just squeaked in on the outer edge of the boomer years, it's the music. OMG, the f***ing music. Such an embarrassment of riches, so much so that there were bands we could afford to eyeroll at or downright despise. Now ALL OF IT sounds amazing compared to the autotuned, cookie-cutter stuff that's all over. (Except Journey. Those guys were earwormed into my brain by the radio so many times that I can't even look at one of their song titles without risking hours of frustration, LOL.)
David was a perfectionist at everything he did, sang, right down to his shoes . Man had a style of his own. That's why we love him .....✌🧡
Now take yourself back 50 years and imagine how odd Bowie looks.
Bowie was such an exceptional artist. 💝
I first heard this song on a walkman in the back of my parent's car when I was 8 on a road trip to Pittsburgh. I played it over and over because I had never heard anything like it. Years later I became a music producer and had number ones on iTunes and top five albums on Billboard. This song might have planted the seed.
Do Bowie's "Life On Mars."
Mickie Mouse has grown up a cow...
vonVile loved the US version of the TV series.
@@theplanetruth UK version is way better.
vonVile the TV show? I liked the US version.
One of my favorite movies-David Bowie in " The Man Who Fell To Earth " 1976
Great movie, I enjoyed him in Labyrinth as well
48 Years old, this song. Still sounding fresh as ever. And Bowie.. he'll never stop being a hero of mine.
51 years
@@ricardo_miguel13 You are right. Don't know where the 1972 came from.
@@avanoosterhout8397 The film was shot in 1972 probably..
@@ricardo_miguel13 there was a film from 69 where he doesnt have dyed hair--exc vid with the space stuff
52, agreed brother!
"off course the earth is blue, but he's talking about this blue as in sadness". wow! I've never thought about it that way. great insight!
Blue planet
Well, thats the reason Major Tom broke the spaceship circuits, and give a message to his wife, he don't want to return to earth and he knew "the spaceship knows which way to go"... so, the Spaceship was ready to back to earth and Major Tom stop the return
The reactions give us insights us fans may never have seen... thanks Jamel!
Seriously, been listening to this song for over 50 years and never thought of it that way and Bam!! it is so obivious even in the way he delivers his vocals at that point. Thanks Jamal!
That phrase always intrigued me...I knew it had some special meaning...But on the surface, it didn't make much sense though...Never could figure it out..until now, and it does make perfect sense...David Bowie was always very conscious about the environment...To Major Tom seeing the planet in its majestic blue, but knowing the course it's been taking, and not being able to do anything about it, cannot be described more beautifully...
The other part that likewise i always wanted to figure out was the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear,"...And for that, I found the explanation in an article on line...and it turned out exactly what I was thinking it was.... 🙂
I'm not British, but I'm as passionate as a British about this sport...Here's what I found:
'In the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear," 'whose shirt you wear' is English slang for 'what football team are you a fan of?'. The thinking here being that if you can make it into space then your opinions on football matter. (Note to Americans- in this case, by "football" we mean "soccer.")'
(This takes me to another football reference in another rock classic: 'Fearless', by Pink Floyd..my personal favorite, I might add.. 😉 Guess whose shirt I wear.. 😎
Anyway, yeah I know..For some, not something very relevant, but if it was enough for David to include it in his lyrics, it is for me too..👍
David Bowie "Life on Mars" is a most.
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury plus Mick Jagger were three of the most flamboyant artists! Love em all! ❤️
I want to thank you, a 56 yr old here, Grew up listening to most what you reacting to, but in the essence of growing up, just enjoyed the music for what it was, good music. Now, at 56, slowed down a bit, listen a lil more critical, lyrics, vocal performance, production, arrangements, overlays, etc..
You and other reactors have helped me enjoy this great music all over again.
I THANK YOU
So happy to see you doing Bowie! Strap in, you're in for a ride.... soo many great songs. The man probably had one of the greatest and most interesting careers in music.
If you're going to be listening to David Bowie, how about "5 Years"? Wonderful song from "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars", though honestly, that was a pretty amazing album altogether.
One of my top five albums!
Wish I could give your comment more than 1 thumbs up ...5 years has been my fav Bowie song since I first heard it in the late 70's ..beautiful haunting sad and all around incredible ...it will never grow old
Arcrum42 even more impressive when, according to trevor bolder and woody woodmansey, every track was recorded in one take.
Every song on that album is brilliant.
Ground control to Major Jamel, commencing Final Countdown, engines on. Check out Starman and may God's love be with you.
And to complete the Tom story, there's Blackstar, which is an experience in itself.
Bowie’s music had a profound impact on me growing up. It makes you think, as well as, making you emotional. It also made you dance. He is sorely missed in this period of time, when the world needs people like him. The world needs healers and thinkers, and he did both with his artistry. But, the world does have Jamel. ✌️
David Bowie, to say the least, was an "outlier" to the human race (if you understand that word). I was always amused when he appeared in the movie The Man Who Fell To Earth where he played an alien. The amusing part is he already seemed quite alien. I also noticed you saying you hadn't seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. You really owe to yourself to see that particular movie, because there are many references to it in everyday life (even today), not to mention it was a totally ground-breaking movie at the time and even today. There are parts of it that are "very deep". Frankly, the last 15 minutes of the movie need to be researched to understand the meaning (maybe just after viewing the movie). The only place that I quickly found where the original movie can be viewed without doing some sort of "special" download (etc) is Netflix DVD. I actually just moved it closer to the top of my Netflix DVD list. I originally saw the movie in 1968 (in the theater) and elements of it are still active in my mind. It is worth the trouble to see it. Some of the scenes are soooooooo cool. Of course I must warn you this is coming from a former engineer, although 2001 was released before any of that schooling. :>) I hope you do work out a way to see the original 2001 movie. Good luck and as the saying goes "be good to each other", which I'm pretty sure you'll recognize.
Dave, I'm scared.
Don't worry HAL.
A cinematic visual symphony
Yes Jamel PLEASE do yourself a favor and watch 2001. It is an experience.
Such a great musician and lovely person. Sad to lose him. You may not know, Jamel_AKA_Jamal, that the personnel on this song are all musicians that played with Elton John: Terry Cox on Drums, Herbie Flowers on Bass, Rick Wakeman on Mellotron and the great, late Paul Buckmaster who provided the musical arrangements on many of Elton & David's albums. The producer, Gus Dudgeon is also a feature between these two musicians....some great connections in music!
David Bowie- "I'm Afraid Of Americans"...a track he did with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails...it's amazing
Any of his "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" period Is excellent.
My favorite album. The CD with the two bonus tracks of this one and Ziggy as demos recorded acoustically is a must.
@@danieljodrey709 Agreed!3⚡⚡⚡
Glad you’re onto Bowie! You’re in for quite a trip. “Heroes” is definitely an iconic song, “Ziggy Stardust” though would be the best one to do after this, I think. David Bowie was the only “celebrity death” that has ever made me cry. I miss him still.
I'm a 58 year old Brit and I was today years' old when I learned that 'Planet Earth is Blue' could have a double-meaning. Thanks Jamel.
An absolute classic - great use of the Mellotron too The Mellotron on this track was played by Rick Wakeman
Haunting and cool
Yes, Bowie makes you feel like you are floating "in a most peculiar way" 😃
Jamel--Bowie changed both his appearance and music several times over his career, as Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, etc. Some of my favorites were from the early 2000's, when he was finally David Bowie for a while. At Live from the BBC, my fave there is a live performance of my fave song of his, a love song, titled Absolute Beginners. Hope you ill look that one up. He was so good in that concert. That was his best band ever. Thanks!
You can never go back to how you were before you heard Bowie. That's a good thing.
One of the only RUclips reactors who atually pays attention to and respects the music. Thanks J
Check out astronaut Chris Hadfield doing this aboard the ISS.
That was epic. Thanks. I hope Jamel sees that.
I was going to comment the same thing. David Bowie loved Hadfield's rendition too
You beat me saying the same thing. If I am not mistaken its really the first music video that has been fully filmed in the ISS
@@corran950 I think you're right. And yes, ArmchairGravy beat me to it.
Love that one
You oughtta check his songs "I'm Afraid of Americans" and his last video "Black Star" RIP Bowie
I loved his last album. It was a beautiful goodbye with a lot of love. He’s a star up there.
Lazarus was his last vid. It was heartbreaking as he visibly looks like he was in pain.
Since you make the Freddie Mercury comment, if you haven't listened to Queen/Bowie's "Under Pressure" you definitely should!
I agree...You should for real take a listen to Under Pressure" if you haven't...
He has 🙂
@@maryscaggsdane1978 Good to know.
Ice Ice Baby.....
@@michaelshelton5488 nnnooooooo!!! ;-)
Yeah, finally some Bowie!!!!!!! And on my birthday!! Perfect timing. :) Thank you!!!!! He was so totally unique. When I heard his music for the first time as a kid, I was hooked on his sound and songs and originality. He was a huge inspiration! So creative and always reinventing himself, from the Thin White Duke to Ziggy Stardust and then on from there. Thanks so much for playing this!
“Heroes” is one of his best ... and always poignant.
Insane D his performance of “Heroes” opening the 9/11 concert at MSG was epic
Now we're talking!!! Can never have enough Bowie in life, loved him and very, very fortunate to have seen him in person about a dozen times. Such an immense catalogue, but personal favourites are 'Heroes' with its Berlin Wall references and 'Life On Mars' which described how I felt about myself as a young woman. Thank you, Jamal ✌🏼
Bowie was a master at continually reinventing his style of music.
David Bowie is an incredible artist....he re-invented himself and his music time and time again over the years...and all of it is AMAZING!!!!!
i was crushed by his death, as were so many of us. he was one of those artists that fit every generation, he spoke to all of us. he was a both a great musician and actor, always a pleasure to hear his music or see him surprise us in a movie role. what a talent. what a loss
The harmonies though. The look is a persona Ziggy Stardust. Stevie Ray Vaughn was in Bowies Touring band for his Glass Spiders Tour
Nope, it was Carlos Alomar and Pete Frampton that played guitar on the Glas Spider tour. Stevie Ray Vaughn played on the Lets Dance album though.
Finally some Bowie.
You should check out Bowie's "Life on Mars," "Changes," and "Heroes." He has so many great hits!!
He did a reaction to Heroes.
Bowie’s “Golden Years” is incredible and you want to talk about funk? It’s in this song!
There was a version of this song that was done by an astronaut on the International Space Station. The video is out there and Bowie liked it so much that he authorized it to be done without having to pay royalties for a certain period of time. It brings a different view when the Earth is actually in the back ground in the window. I want to say it was Chris Hatfield but I could be wrong.
This song and Heroes are spine chilling. We miss him.
David Bowie. His catalogue is vast and spans decades, his talent enriched music, media, art, theatre, film and fashion. He was able to reinvent himself when he became bored and was suprisingly succesful in doing so for the most part. A real legend, unique and very much missed. Much of his lesser known work buried in his albums is amongst his best.
history will be kind to him..... as big to the 70's as dylan was to the 60s.
"I'm Afraid of Americans", "Heart's Filthy Lesson", and "Let's Dance" are my absolute favorites. 😍💗🤘
“I’m afraid of Americans” came out of conversations he had with John Lennon.
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie did a song together called Under Pressure that you would love! It's also where Vanilla Ice got his sample for Ice Ice Baby!
Perish the thought of Vanilla Ice. Every time I forget that idiot, someone reminds me of that moron.
Bowie did a sort of sequel to this song many years later; it's called Ashes to Ashes and it's excellent.
This song still give me chills. Takes me back to my Junior High days.....good times. 70s ruled!
Fun fact: Featured as pre-Yes Rick Wakeman on the Mellotron. Bowie actually invited Wakeman to join the Spiders from Mars, but Rick went with Yes, instead.
Great songs this man made...might want to do "Heroes"!!!
And Ashes To Ashes
@@stevebengel1346 and a lot of others..😉
Love that one ❤️
Yes, my absolute favorite Bowie song!
I really loved the use of Heroes in the film “JoJo Rabbit”. It’s the German version...if you haven’t seen it, it’s fantastic!
He’s in a class by himself, so many personalities in his music
This came out in 1969 exactly when the Americans first landed on the Moon. Bowie's timing was impeccable as he'd been trying to launch his singing career for years to no avail until this.
I love how thoughtful you are in your reactions, and how much you appreciate the musicianship of the artists. Lovely.
"Rebel Rebel "
"Changes"
"Station to Station"
"Ziggy Stardust"
"Golden Years"
"Modern Love"
"China Girl"
" Suffragette City"
@Rhonda Bothelio Slipped my mind, I'm sure I forgot many more
I didn't look anything up to refresh my memory. This was just off the top of my head. I also like "Diamond Dogs". I used to have the "Changes One" album I think it was called, and I loved every song on it!
The Man Who Sold The World and Starman too
Bowie is one of my all time favorites. “All the Madmen” is must listen to also.
Seriously do “Life on Mars” make sure you have the lyrics handy.
Hell yes no one reacts to it!😄
Add Starman for the trifecta
Great song but I can go for some Queen Bitch too.
Yes please do Life on Mars ❤️
The American horror story cover of life on Mars is great
I never get tired of hearing this one, but the quality and the caliber of the music outshines the video 100 to 1, in my opinion.
You are right about Bowie and Freddie Mercury. They are singers and performance artists both. Geniuses. This is the first Bowie song I ever heard. I heard it on the radio while I was in the car with my mother. LOL Crazy. I loved Bowie from that moment. When Bowie died, the online news had as its banner, Planet Earth is Blue. I knew as soon as I saw that that Bowie had died.
David Bowie was a genius. Check out Fame, Young Americans, Suffragette City, and Heroes
Aladdin Sane
One of the greatest rockers ever reinventing himself over many decades reinventing !
My favorite album David Live -
lots of his best stuff ✌😎
I bet I've listened to the whole album start - finish 1000X easy !
Bowie was a visual artist as well as a musical one. He took great care with his official videos, so I do hope that you’ll be able to view some without being blocked.
>Bowie had a 50-year career, so you may need to be selective. Just so you know, some Bowie fans stopped listening in the 80s, when he had a “pop” period. I did not-I love Bowie start to finish. And I’m going to make some recommendations. :)
>>I see him as working in several genres. You may want to select one from each of the following lists.
>There are the solid rock songs (The Man Who Sold the World, 1970. Life on Mars, 1971. Starman, 1972. Ziggy Stardust, 1972. Heroes, 1977. New Killer Star, 2003. Valentine’s Day, 2013).
>There are the all-out rockers, the crowd pleasers (Suffragette City, 1972. Panic in Detroit, 1973. The Jean Genie, 1973. Diamond Dogs, 1974. TVC15, 1976. Boys Keep Swinging, 1979).
>There are what I call the groovy rockers, with strong bass or drums (Changes, 1971. Rebel Rebel, 1974. Young Americans, 1975. Golden Years, 1976. Ashes to Ashes, 1980. I’m Deranged, 1995).
>There are the full-on funky songs (“1984,” 1974. Fame, 1975. Stay, 1976. Fashion, 1980. Let’s Dance, 1983).
>There are the pop songs, perhaps his biggest hits (China Girl, 1983. Modern Love, 1983. Blue Jean, 1984).
>There are the industrial-influenced songs (I’m Afraid of Americans, 1997. Little Wonder, 1997. Seven Years in Tibet, 1997).
>And lastly, there are the lovely tunes (Sorrow, 1973. Outside, 1995. Slow Burn, 2002. I Can’t Give Everything, 2016. Lazarus, 2016).
I swear, this is the longest post I will ever leave for you. Unless you turn at some point to Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry!
Remember seeing Tin Machine in Newcastle up close and personal , Reeves Gabrels on guitar was awesome, Bowie shirt open ripping it hard rock style. 😉
Great breakdown of Bowie’s catalog!! I would say don’t forget Hunky Dory, it’s brilliant. Plus his producing of Lou Reed’s first album along with playing and singing on the record too is amazing. He was a once in a lifetime artist.
✌️💗😊
The Tall Thin Duke.
Rest in peace sir.
the man knew how to pick the people who backed him up.
Fantastic Artist, the likes we will never see again.
Jamal, you are my daily dose of positive, music and love/light. Thank you for sharing these tunes/videos and bringing us all together. You are a ROCKSTAR!!!!
“The jean genie “, “Sorrow”, “where have all the good times gone”. & “panic in Detroit “
“Rebel Rebel”!
"Life on Mars" is next. Also check out his last songs, "Lazarus" and "Blackstar"
Christer Furberg His last album was gorgeous and it was a goodbye. He wanted to work on more music but knew he did not have that long.
That last album was insanely good, and 'Lazarus' is just entirely next-level - what a final gift he left us!
David Bradshaw I have a Blackstar tattoo on my ankle to remind me that you can create art until your last breath.
@@rini6 - that's awesome!
I’ve listened to Blackstar several times but find it very difficult and emotional
Now ur talking bro! More Bowie please.
I remember hearing this on my brother's stereo system when I was a kid and as I moved around the room I kept thinking that there must be something wrong with the record it had been mixed in such a new way. The way he harmonises through each ear - astonishing sonic experience.
This song taught me the power of music.... When he says "Goodbye" to his wife and gets lost, I got chills at age 10.